Food Review: Essence

Plant based food is going through a real moment right now. A new vegan menu appears in London almost daily, so it's no longer possible for a place to stand out by virtue of being meat, fish and dairy free. Shoreditch's Essence knows that it needs to be special to stake its place in a crowded scene.

Right from the moment you enter, it's clear this place is different. People sit side on to the minimalist tables that fold out from futuristic cubes. Perhaps a tad uncomfortable for some, but it's refreshing for somewhere to try something new.

The unusual layout

Then it's onto the food. The standout is the wonderful heirloom tomato lasagna, beautifully presented — a jenga tower of vegetables and gorgeous pesto. The Caesar salad and raw pad Thai also deliver in a big way, the former so creamy you'll be checking with the waiter to make sure it's really vegan, the latter perfectly spicy.

Dessert is equally as wonderful: the lime cheesecake bursts with citrus flavours that bounce around your mouth, while the raw macaroons crumble perfectly as you chow down on them. Follow that up with a lemongrass tea to cleanse all the toxins out and leave satisfied.